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Official Description

Creation of arteriovenous fistula by other than direct arteriovenous anastomosis (separate procedure); nonautogenous graft (eg, biological collagen, thermoplastic graft)

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The procedure described by CPT® Code 36830 involves the creation of an arteriovenous (AV) fistula using a method that is not a direct arteriovenous anastomosis. An AV fistula is a surgically created connection between an artery and a vein, primarily intended to facilitate long-term access to the vascular system for patients undergoing hemodialysis. This connection is crucial for patients with kidney failure, as it allows for repeated access to the bloodstream for the purpose of dialysis treatment. The procedure typically begins with an incision made in the forearm at the site where the AV fistula will be established. During the surgery, both the artery and vein are carefully selected, exposed, and dissected from surrounding tissues to ensure proper placement of the graft. In cases where a nonautogenous graft is utilized, materials such as biological collagen or thermoplastic grafts are employed instead of using the patient's own vein. This is particularly beneficial in patients who may not have suitable veins for grafting. The surgical technique involves placing vessel loops around the selected artery and vein to control blood flow during the procedure. The graft is then sutured to both the artery and the vein, allowing for increased blood flow into the vein, which subsequently enlarges and thickens over time. This adaptation of the vein is essential for withstanding the repeated punctures required for hemodialysis access. It is important to note that CPT® Code 36830 is specifically designated for procedures involving nonautogenous grafts, while CPT® Code 36825 should be used when an autogenous graft is employed.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The creation of an arteriovenous fistula using a nonautogenous graft, as described by CPT® Code 36830, is indicated for patients requiring long-term vascular access for hemodialysis. The following conditions may warrant this procedure:

  • Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Patients with advanced stages of CKD often require hemodialysis as a life-sustaining treatment.
  • End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Individuals diagnosed with ESRD typically need reliable vascular access for regular dialysis sessions.
  • Inadequate Venous Access Patients who do not have suitable veins for autogenous grafting may require a nonautogenous graft to create an effective AV fistula.

2. Procedure

The procedure for creating an arteriovenous fistula using a nonautogenous graft involves several critical steps:

  • Step 1: Incision An incision is made in the forearm over the predetermined site for the AV fistula. This incision allows access to the underlying blood vessels.
  • Step 2: Vessel Exposure The selected artery and vein are carefully exposed and dissected free from surrounding tissues. This step is crucial to ensure that the vessels are adequately prepared for the grafting process.
  • Step 3: Vessel Control Vessel loops are placed around both the artery and vein to control blood flow during the procedure. This control is essential for maintaining a clear surgical field and preventing excessive bleeding.
  • Step 4: Graft Preparation If a nonautogenous graft is to be used, materials such as biological collagen or thermoplastic grafts are prepared for implantation. This step is necessary when the patient's veins are not suitable for use.
  • Step 5: Graft Attachment The artery is incised, and the prepared graft is sutured to the artery. Following this, the vein is incised, and the other end of the graft is sutured to the vein, establishing the connection between the two vessels.
  • Step 6: Hemostasis After the graft is secured, the vessel loops are released, and hemostasis is checked to ensure that there is no active bleeding at the surgical site.
  • Step 7: Post-Procedure Monitoring Once the graft is in place, blood flow through the graft will increase, leading to the vein's enlargement and thickening, which is necessary for repeated access during hemodialysis.

3. Post-Procedure

After the creation of the arteriovenous fistula using a nonautogenous graft, patients will require monitoring for proper healing and function of the graft. It is essential to assess the patency of the fistula and ensure that blood flow is adequate for future dialysis sessions. Patients may experience some swelling and discomfort at the surgical site, which should gradually improve. Regular follow-up appointments will be necessary to evaluate the fistula's performance and to address any complications that may arise, such as infection or thrombosis. Education on care and maintenance of the AV fistula is also crucial to ensure its longevity and effectiveness for hemodialysis access.

Short Descr ARTERY-VEIN NONAUTOGRAFT
Medium Descr CRTJ ARVEN FSTL XCP DIR ARVEN ANAST NONAUTOG GRF
Long Descr Creation of arteriovenous fistula by other than direct arteriovenous anastomosis (separate procedure); nonautogenous graft (eg, biological collagen, thermoplastic graft)
Status Code Active Code
Global Days 090 - Major Surgery
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 0 - Physician Service Code
Multiple Procedures (51) 2 - Standard payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply.
Bilateral Surgery (50) 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 2 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery does not apply to this procedure...
Co-Surgeons (62) 1 - Co-surgeons could be paid, though supporting documentation is required...
Team Surgery (66) 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator Hospital Part B services paid through a comprehensive APC
ASC Payment Indicator Surgical procedure on ASC list in CY 2007; payment based on OPPS relative payment weight.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P2F - Major procedure, cardiovascular-Other
MUE 2
CCS Clinical Classification 57 - Creation, revision and removal of arteriovenous fistula or vessel-to-vessel cannula for dialysis

This is a primary code that can be used with these additional add-on codes.

36907 CPT Add On MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Transluminal balloon angioplasty, central dialysis segment, performed through dialysis circuit, including all imaging and radiological supervision and interpretation required to perform the angioplasty (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
36908 CPT Add On MPFS Status: Active Code APC N ASC N1 Transcatheter placement of intravascular stent(s), central dialysis segment, performed through dialysis circuit, including all imaging and radiological supervision and interpretation required to perform the stenting, and all angioplasty in the central dialysis segment (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
LT Left side (used to identify procedures performed on the left side of the body)
AS Physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist services for assistant at surgery
RT Right side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
78 Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician or other qualified health care professional following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that another procedure was performed during the postoperative period of the initial procedure (unplanned procedure following initial procedure). when this procedure is related to the first, and requires the use of an operating/procedure room, it may be reported by adding modifier 78 to the related procedure. (for repeat procedures, see modifier 76.)
79 Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.)
SG Ambulatory surgical center (asc) facility service
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
XE Separate encounter, a service that is distinct because it occurred during a separate encounter
51 Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
58 Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78.
22 Increased procedural services: when the work required to provide a service is substantially greater than typically required, it may be identified by adding modifier 22 to the usual procedure code. documentation must support the substantial additional work and the reason for the additional work (ie, increased intensity, time, technical difficulty of procedure, severity of patient's condition, physical and mental effort required). note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
47 Anesthesia by surgeon: regional or general anesthesia provided by the surgeon may be reported by adding modifier 47 to the basic service. (this does not include local anesthesia.) note: modifier 47 would not be used as a modifier for the anesthesia procedures.
52 Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
53 Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
59 Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25.
62 Two surgeons: when 2 surgeons work together as primary surgeons performing distinct part(s) of a procedure, each surgeon should report his/her distinct operative work by adding modifier 62 to the procedure code and any associated add-on code(s) for that procedure as long as both surgeons continue to work together as primary surgeons. each surgeon should report the co-surgery once using the same procedure code. if additional procedure(s) (including add-on procedure(s) are performed during the same surgical session, separate code(s) may also be reported with modifier 62 added. note: if a co-surgeon acts as an assistant in the performance of additional procedure(s), other than those reported with the modifier 62, during the same surgical session, those services may be reported using separate procedure code(s) with modifier 80 or modifier 82 added, as appropriate.
74 Discontinued out-patient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) procedure after administration of anesthesia: due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, the physician may terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure after the administration of anesthesia (local, regional block(s), general) or after the procedure was started (incision made, intubation started, scope inserted, etc). under these circumstances, the procedure started but terminated can be reported by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 74. note: the elective cancellation of a service prior to the administration of anesthesia and/or surgical preparation of the patient should not be reported. for physician reporting of a discontinued procedure, see modifier 53.
76 Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
77 Repeat procedure by another physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a basic procedure or service was repeated by another physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 77 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
82 Assistant surgeon (when qualified resident surgeon not available): the unavailability of a qualified resident surgeon is a prerequisite for use of modifier 82 appended to the usual procedure code number(s).
AG Primary physician
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
CC Procedure code change (use 'cc' when the procedure code submitted was changed either for administrative reasons or because an incorrect code was filed)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
F7 Right hand, third digit
GV Attending physician not employed or paid under arrangement by the patient's hospice provider
GW Service not related to the hospice patient's terminal condition
PD Diagnostic or related non diagnostic item or service provided in a wholly owned or operated entity to a patient who is admitted as an inpatient within 3 days
SA Nurse practitioner rendering service in collaboration with a physician
X4 Episodic/focused services: for reporting services by clinicians who provide focused care on particular types of treatment limited to a defined period and circumstance; the patient has a problem, acute or chronic, that will be treated with surgery, radiation, or some other type of generally time-limited intervention; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the orthopedic surgeon performing a knee replacement and seeing the patient through the postoperative period
X5 Diagnostic services requested by another clinician: for reporting services by a clinician who furnishes care to the patient only as requested by another clinician or subsequent and related services requested by another clinician; this modifier is reported for patient relationships that may not be adequately captured by the above alternative categories; reporting clinician service examples include but are not limited to, the radiologist's interpretation of an imaging study requested by another clinician
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
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2003-01-01 Changed Code description changed.
Pre-1990 Added Code added.
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